Holiday Review: Second Chance Holiday by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Posted on 12/04/2014 by shellbellereads

Second Chance Holiday

By Aurora Rose Reynolds

Synopsis

Mike Rouger isn’t looking for love. He decided long ago that he would rather stay single than get mixed up with a woman again. Then Kathleen Mullings comes back into his life with her teenage son and changes everything. What happens when a man set in his ways meets a sassy woman who knows what she wants? Mix in the Mayson clan and the Christmas season and you’re sure to enjoy the ride of Second Chance Holiday.

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Michel’s Review

Are you a fan of the Until Series by Aurora Rose Reynolds? She has given the readers a very special gift for the holidays. She gave us Mike Rouger’s story. Yes, November’s dad is finally going to meet his match and settle down.

Mike has been a die hard bachelor since November’s mother left him when November was a baby. Being the owner of a strip bar would give the impression that Mike is a player and doesn’t value committed relationships. That is quite the opposite of the kind of man he really is. He is a man of honor. A man with strong family values. He is a man that has earned respect and given respect to all those who cross his path. He takes his business seriously and treats his help with the utmost respect. He is also a very lonely man. He lives his life quietly. He spends his time with his daughter and his precious granddaughters. Who would think that a man pushing his mid forties would find love and happiness. Who would think that he would be gifted with another chance to have the family he always wanted? Who would think that he would become a father figure to a very troubled teenage boy. But there’s more, Mike was granted the ultimate Christmas gift. He has been given a Christmas miracle.

When Kathleen Mullings runs into her high school crush after twenty years she is still in awe of the man he has become. He is just as attractive and tempting as he was in high school. She has moved back to Tennessee after a failed marriage. She never imagined she would want to be in another relationship. She has a troubled teenage son that needs direction and guidance toward the right paths in life. He is the reason she returned home. Can she get involved in a relationship with Mike? Will he accept her son? Or will they be casual plus ones?

Mike and Kathleen are in for some big surprises. They have been given a second chance and they are both determined to make the most of it. They will be given a Christmas Miracle that will give the Rouger / Mayson clan joy for many years.

I highly recommend this Christmas novella. It is the perfect holiday romance that will warm your days and make them brighter. This novella can be read as a stand alone book or in series order.

About Aurora Rose Reynolds

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who’s husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it’s beauty.

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Play Me Series by Tracy Wolff- Review for Play Me Wild- Book 1

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

The Play Me Series

A Spin Off of the Ethan Frost Series

5 Novellas = 1 Sizzling Hot Romance

By Tracy Wolff

Play Me Wild – Book 1

In the seductive first installment of an eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, a woman running from her past has finally found a bit of control . . . until her powerful new boss makes her go wild.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

Working as a cocktail waitress at one of Vegas’s hottest five-star casinos means putting up with a ton of bad behavior from the big spenders. But it pays the bills—and that’s all that matters to Aria, who needs every last dollar to escape from her father’s destructive grasp and the brutal man he expects her to marry. But when she lashes out against a billionaire who won’t take no for an answer, she nearly loses everything—until Sebastian steps in. The owner’s son and handpicked successor, Sebastian is dark, sexy, and kinder than any rich man should be. And when he apologizes and offers to keep her job safe, Aria can’t help the way her body reacts to his. Suddenly her job, and the security it brings her, isn’t the only thing Aria wants.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story continues in Play Me: Hot.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Play Me Series is a spin off of the Ethan Frost Series. This series features one of Ethan Frost’s best friends and his return to Las Vegas. There are 5 Books in this series and each is novella length. Each installment is sensual, breathtaking, addicting, and paced perfectly to keep the reader intrigued. Each installment ends on a major cliffhanger that leaves the reader wanting more. The final book does not end on a cliffhanger but leaves the reader anxious for the next Ethan Frost book. The characters from this series will be in the next Ethan Frost book and will be involved in Ethan’s mission to destroy his enemies.

The characters in this series are phenomenal. Their attraction and sexual chemistry is smoldering hot. Their erotic relationship will keep the readers fanning themselves. Their story is thrilling in so many ways. From their current lives, their secrets from the past, their steamy relationship, their smoldering sexual escapades, and complicated new directions , The Play Me series is addicting.

Each book in this series was released on December 2, 2014. Readers do not have to wait for the next book to come out. The pricing for each book is similar to other serial romances on todays market. The pricing for the series all together is equivalent to purchasing one book by one of the major publishing houses. It is well worth the price and I highly recommend this series.

Although this series is a spin off of the Ethan Frost series it can be read as a stand alone series.

_________________________________________________________________________

In Play Me Wild the reader gets an introduction to the characters and their lives. It sets the pace for the entire series.

Aria Winston is a strong woman. She is independent and never asks for help. She accepts her strengths and weaknesses. She is also hiding a very startling secret. But it is her secret to harbor. She is working as a cocktail waitress in one of the most popular hotel casinos in Vegas. She has moved up to serving the elite high rollers, otherwise known as the whales. She does her job well but when one customer gets out of hand it brings her to the attention of her boss, Sebastian Caine.

Sebastian Caine has returned to Vegas to take over his fathers hotel casino. He left Vegas ten years earlier determined to never return. His father has had a series of strokes and needs someone to step in and run the business he has been running into the ground. This is the last place Sebastian wants to be but also understands that this is his legacy. When a waitress is fired and the disgruntled customer wants restitution, Sebastian has to step in. When he views the actual occurrence on the video feed , he is appalled. He is appalled that these high roller men treat his waitresses with disrespect and disregard. He is also fascinated with the waitress that is involved in the situation.

When Sebastian and Aria meet face to face their attraction to one another is smoldering. Sebastian recognizes a kindred spirit. He also recognizes a need that Aria has that only he can show her how to fulfill. What happens in that meeting will leave the reader breathless. It ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the reader rushing to download the next installment in the series.

Author Bio:

Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

And for all of those who want the unedited version:
Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible.

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Review Blog Tour: Diamonds and Dust by Jessie Evans – Lonesome Point, Texas Series – Book 3

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Diamonds and Dust

Lonesome Point, Texas Series- Book 3

By Jessie Evans

Synopsis

A sexy second chance romance from NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans

The home run neither of them expected…

Pike Sherman is a legend in Lonesome Point, a hometown boy who made it to the big leagues. Literally. Professional baseball acquired one hell of a pitching arm and its latest celebrity bad boy when the gifted Pike was drafted seven years ago. Pike’s broken heart came along for the ride, too, but he kept that private, and since leaving Lonesome Point has kept his distance from his hometown. But when Pike’s little sister, Mia, begs him to be the Dude of Honor at her wedding, he can’t refuse. He takes advantage of a break in the season and returns home to find himself thrown together with the one woman he never wanted to see again.

Tulsi Hearst is on the verge of losing her Equine Therapy business, and letting down all the kids she’s come to love. After a mix-up with the grant board, she needs to concentrate on finding more funding, not dealing with Pike Sherman, the boy she sacrificed so much for, and the one person she’s ever lied to. And what a lie it is… Pike would hate her if he found out. She knows she should stay far away from the brooding man her summer love has become, but Tulsi can’t resist a slow dance with the only boy who ever made her blood rush.

After just a few days back in Lonesome Point, Pike can’t imagine life without the girl he left behind, but when Tulsi’s secret is revealed, his heart is broken all over again. The only thing worse than losing Tulsi, is losing six years with the daughter he didn’t know he had.

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Tracey’s Review

With Pike Sherman back in town for his sister Mia’s wedding, it’s all Tulsi Hearst can do to keep it together. Not only was Pike Tulsi’s first and only love, she’s hiding one heck of a big secret that Pike absolutely cannot find out. She’ll just pretend like he didn’t break her heart seven years ago, smile for the wedding pictures, and then life can go back to normal. The best laid plans, and all that…

Pike is Lonesome Point’s golden boy, the one that made it big. When he left home, he was sure that he’d never be back. But life has a funny way of throwing us for a loop, and it takes all of a day or two to completely change Pike’s mind about things. Because in those couple of days, he sees Tulsi again, and realizes that it’s not as easy as he’d thought to leave the past behind.

Jessie Evans just keeps writing stories that I cannot help but fall absolutely in love with, and each one makes me say, ‘Oh, this is the best one yet!’ Her characters resonate because they are just so real, so like all of us. They’re not perfect, they make mistakes, they’re living normal lives as best they can. I think that one of my favorite things about reading DIAMONDS AND DUST, or any any book by Jessie, really, is that it feels like coming home. It is impossible to finish these books without a smile on my face, and to want to be part of a community like the one in Lonesome Point. Her heroes are always hot and sexy (and I think that Pike may well be my favorite so far!), which is really nice, but it’s their hearts that make them so special. These are men that are willing to admit when they’re wrong, to go after what they want, and to grab life by the horns and set things right. The women are written wonderfully as well; full of spunk and sass, these ladies don’t take any guff from anybody. Every one of them, from Tulsi, Mia, and Marisol, right down to Clementine and Mia’s Gram, are spitfires, and just make this a read that is immensely enjoyable.

If you’re a fan of books that bring old lovers together again, DIAMONDS AND DUST is a must-read, and is guaranteed to leave you wanting to read more by Jessie.

About Jessie Evans

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read.

She’s married to the man of her dreams, and together they’re raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more.

When she’s not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with.

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Release Day Blitz + Review: You Were Mine by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series- Book 9

Posted on 12/02/2014 by shellbellereads

You Were Mine

Rosemary Beach Series- Book 9

By Abbi Glines

Synopsis

Gossip is the ultimate currency in Rosemary Beach, but Bethy and Tripp have managed to keep one big secret to themselves.

Eight years ago, Tripp Newark was dating a rich girl he didn’t like and was on his way to Yale—and a future he didn’t want. The only way he could escape his predictable life would be to give up the money and power that came with his family’s name. And that’s exactly what he planned to do. At the end of the summer, he was going to ride off on his Harley and never look back.

That was before he met Beth Lowry.

It was only supposed to be a summer fling. She was a sixteen-year-old trailer-park girl who served drinks to his friends at Kerrington Country Club. They didn’t run in the same social circles. No one even knew they were friends, let alone lovers. Yet, for one summer, Bethy became his entire world.

But he couldn’t give up on his plan. He needed to leave Rosemary Beach, but he vowed he would come back for her.

Problem was, by the time he came back—years later than promised—it was too late. His cousin, Jace, had already claimed the woman he loved. . . .

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Fans of the Rosemary Beach series have been biting at the bits for If You Were Mine to release. It was well worth the wait and I know readers are going to be thrilled with this book.

From the very beginning of the Rosemary Beach series, Bethy Lowry has been a very prominent character throughout the series. She is the happy go lucky, party girl, that works at the Kerrington Country Club. She has befriended the staff members, become a part of the elite crowd, and proved her loyalty to all those she loves. Her outgoing personality has captivated the readers. We have watched her go from a wild girl to a mature young woman madly in love with one of the golden members, Jace Newark. Her relationship with Jace went from carefree hookups to a serious committed relationship. They were very happy until Tripp Newark, Jace’s cousin came back to Rosemary Beach. Bethy’s behavior begins to spiral out of control. She is reverting back to her irresponsible ways and her drinking is out of control. When tragedy strikes and Jace loses his life trying to save Bethy’s life it sends her into a very dark place. She has lost the love of her life and feels responsible. She feels like she betrayed Jace and her friends. She has withdrawn from life and seperated herself from her friends. She doesn’t feel like she deserves their friendship. She doesn’t feel she deserves love or redemption from her mistakes. She is haunted by the past and has condemned herself to being it’s prisoner. What caused her behavior to spiral out of control? What secrets was she hiding. Only Tripp Newark knows. Now he is back in Rosemary Beach and determined to make Bethy whole once again.

Tripp Newark was a golden son of the Rosemary Beach elite. He had the perfect future planned out by his family. His wealth, prestigous family, education, and social standings guaranteed he would live the golden life. But those were not his dreams, they were expectations that he could not live up to. Eight years ago he had to choose between his family and his dreams for the future. The one thing he didn’t count on was meeting a girl that would capture his heart completely. When he made his decision to leave Rosemary Beach behind, he had to leave the love of his life. The damage and scars he left behind are beyond repair.

Tripp returned to Rosemary Beach to find the one woman he has always loved is engaged to his cousin. To make matters worse his cousin loses his life trying to save that girl. Tripp wants Bethy to heal and come back to the world of living. It doesn’t matter that she no longer loves him. He just wants her to be a whole person again.

As Tripp and Bethy’s past is revealed and a hidden secrets are unraveled, they will both be shattered. They will also find their way back to one another. They will find that love never really dies. Love comes in many different forms. They will find there is room in their hearts for love once again.

This time around Tripp is going to do everything right. This time around Bethy is going to forgive herself and learn her self worth. This time around they are going to do things the right way. This time around is forever.

The Rosemary Beach series has been building up to this moment, this couple, and their secrets. The big revelation at the end of the previous books left readers dying to know the whole story. This book was emotional and grabbed my heart in so many ways. It was the perfect story for these two charismatic characters.

The readers will get more of all the beloved characters from this series. They will see our favorite little ones growing into charming little people. They will see the Rock God Grandpa wrapped around a toddlers finger and loving every moment. They will see Grant flourish with fatherhood. They will get to know Thad a little better. Best of all, they will get to witness the wedding vows between Della and Woods. The one thing that was glorious in all this was that “Nasty Nan” was completely absent from this book. We didn’t have to deal her rotten attitude. We got to see all our beloved characters from Rosemary Beach have a wonderful time without her spoiling the moment.

I absolutely love the Rosemary Beach series. I cannot wait for the next book. I think Abbi Glines has some great surprises for fans of this series.

I highly recommend If You Were Mine. If you have not read the Rosemary Beach series, don’t put it off. It is a guaranteed fantastic reading experience.

Author Bio:

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway +Review: Trashed by Jasinda Wilder – A Stripped World Novel- Book 2

Posted on 12/01/2014 by shellbellereads

Trashed

A Stripped World Novel- Book 2

By Jasinda Wilder

Synopsis

I’m nobody. I’m an orphan. A janitor. A college student. A virgin.
And him? He’s a god. One of the hottest action stars to ever grace the silver screen, huge and muscular and gorgeous and famous. He could have anyone in the world.
Yet, despite the chasm separating my world from his, I find myself in his hotel room, and he’s acting like I’m the most beautiful girl in the world. I’m not. He’s everything every woman could ever want, and I’m just…me.

***

She doesn’t know how sexy she is, and that’s it’s own kind of beauty. But for real, she’s gorgeous. I’ve met some of the hottest women in Hollywood, and none of them can hold a candle to this girl. I want her. And the fact that she’s closed off and impossible to figure out only makes the pursuit that much more intriguing.
The last thing I expect is for one night of pleasure to turn into something I’m unable to forget, even after she’s gone her way and I’ve gone mine. I can’t forget her, no matter how I try. And the next time we run into each other, I know there’s no way I can let her go again. No matter what it takes.
***This is a full length, stand-alone contemporary romance, set in the world of STRIPPED***

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Kelley’s Review

I abosultely adored this modern day Cinderella story! This is an amazing HEA for you HEA junkies. Sometimes you just need a feel good story and Jasinda delivers with a hot hollywood hunk and trash collecting former foster child. She once again keeps her characters true to who they are. Destiny Ross has not had an easy life. She was tossed around in the foster care system in Detroit until she was old enough to stand on her own. Some places she lived were good and others were not. She has learned that you have to put up walls in order to survive and is not interested in letting them down for anyone. Torrence Adam Trenton is a hollywood action star. He is on Mackinac Island for a special red carpet event and finds himself bored out of his mind on a tour bus until he sees Destiny on the side of the road picking up trash. He is mesmorised by her beauty and before he can think he is jumping off the bus and heading towards her.

I love how Jasinda makes Adam a very down to earth character true to his roots. He puts on a persona for the cameras and does an excellent job catering to his fans. Seeing Destiny and Adam come together is pure magic. She is so closed off but Adam will do anything he can to break down her walls. Their chemistry is purely erotic. Yes this book has a lot of hot sex in it and Jasinda is the queen of smutty sex scenes. She will have readers crossing their legs and looking for BOB for relief. Jasinda has a talent for making us all believe in fairytales with this one.

Michel’s Review

Trashed is another Hollywood Romance smash hit. It is a light hearted and supremely sexy romance. It was a highly entertaining book that left the reader with a gooey & tingly feeling.

The characters, Adam and Des, are absolutely charming. Adam may be a big Hollywood Action Star, but he is down to earth. His fame has not ruined him. He is good about managing his life as a star. When he sees Des, it is love at first sight. He will do anything to get to know her. He does not expect her to meet his celebrity life style. He just wants her love.

Des, has had a rough life. She was in the foster care system and has never had anyone to call her own. She has quite a few issues and recognizes the fact that she does. She is not in any way allowing her issues to hold her back from having a happy and successful life. When she meets Adam, she is not star struck. She treats Adam as a regular guy. When a celebrity fundraiser puts her in the spotlight, she will have to decide if she can handle that life style.

Both Adam and Des will have to go through some trying moments and a separation before they find that their destinies are tied together.

I loved that Adam stayed true and consistent throughout this book. I loved watching Des expand her world. I loved how she accepted her weaknesses and was willing to overcome them with work.

Everything about Trashed fantastic. It was a charming story that didn’t weigh the reader down with angst and emotional duress. It is the perfect book to read when you need something to warm your heart and a lighten your world. It is guaranteed to make you smile.

I highly recommend Trashed.

About Jasinda Wilder

NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, WALL STREET JOURNAL and international bestselling author Jasinda Wilder is a Michigan native with a penchant for titillating tales about sexy men and strong women. Her bestselling titles include ALPHA, STRIPPED, WOUNDED, and the #1 Amazon and international bestseller FALLING INTO YOU. You can find her on her farm in Northern Michigan with her husband, author Jack Wilder, her five children and menagerie of animals.

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Giveaway
A Pink Kindle
Signed Paperback copies of Stripped and Trashed

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Ryley’s Revenge by L. P. Dover – Gloves Off Series- Book 4

Posted on 11/30/2014 by shellbellereads

Ryley’s Revenge

Gloves Off Series- Book 4

Release Date: December 1, 2014

By L. P. Dover

Synopsis

UFC Middleweight fighter, Ryley Jameson, swore it would never happen again. He was done with his ex, and over the pain she’d inflicted when she left him. At least, that’s what he tells people. Maybe if he says it enough, he’ll begin to believe it himself.

Regretting her decision to let Ryley go, Ashleigh Warren comes back into town and confronts him. Holding only one secret back, she puts the rest on the line and asks for a second chance. Too bad he’s not going to let her off easy.

Camden Jameson loves his twin brother, but his jealousy runs deep. They may be identical in looks, but that’s where the similarities end. When Ashleigh comes back into Ryley’s life, Camden has the perfect opportunity for revenge. Two birds, one stone.

A journey to the Dark Side affects them all, but only one feels the true sting of revenge.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Ryley’s Revenge was a complete unexpected surprise. We met Ryley Jameson and Ashleigh Warren in A Fighter’s Desire Part 1. This couple captured our attention along with Ryley’s twin brother Camden. When all was said and done, no one really got their happily ever after. Ashley had left Ryley and went back to her college sweetheart , Collin. After a pregnancy scare that could have been Ryley’s child, Ashleigh realizes she has made a mistake leaving Ryley for Collin. Now she is back and ready to fight for Ryley’s love.

Ryley was heartbroken when Ashleigh left him for Collin. He was also hurt by his twin brother’s actions and reactions to his relationship with Ashleigh. Ryley has been betrayed by the two people he loves the most. When Ashleigh comes back from Aspen wanting to rekindle their relationship, he’s still angry over her betrayal. He almost lets her go a second time but realizes that love is more important than pride. He mans up, swallows his pride, and sets his focus on restoring his relationship with Ashleigh.

His twin brother Camden is harboring an unhealthy dose of jealousy. He and Ryley are scheduled to fight one another for the championship title. Camden wants to destroy Ryley in and outside of the ring. He will stop at nothing to destroy his brother.

Camden has joined “the dark side”. He is fighting in the illegal underground fighting arena where anything goes, including death. He has enlisted Collin to help him destroy Ryley and Ashleigh for good. He is determined to destroy Ryley’s fighting career as well as his future happiness. His actions force Ryley to join the “dark side” to defend his honor, fight for his relationship with Ashleigh, and seek revenge against those that have tried to hurt them. Ryley will have to choose between love and blood. Ryley has more on the line than losing his brother, he could lose the Ashleigh and his future family.

Ryley’s Revenge was much more than a romance that revolves around the MMA fighting world. It is about making choices that will define the kind of person you are at the end of the day. It’s about learning to love despite all of the opposition standing in the way. It is about sacrificing oneself for the one you love with all your heart. It shows the importance of family and friendship in life.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series. We got a taste of what’s to come with Paxton and Gabriella. I am also hoping somewhere along the way Camden is going to be redeemed.

I highly recommend the Gloves Off Series by L. P. Dover.

The Gloves Off Series

A Fighter’s Desire Part 1

Amazon

A Fighter’s Desire Part 2

Amazon

Tyler’s Undoing

Amazon

Ryley’s Revenge

Amazon

Paxton’s Promise

Coming December 29, 2014

Pre-Order- Amazon

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can’t forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

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Holiday Review: Unwrapped by Maisey Yates- A Silver Creek Novel

Posted on 11/28/2014 by shellbellereads

Unwrapped

A Silver Creek Holiday Romance

By Maisey Yates

Synopsis

In USA Today bestselling author Maisey Yates’s latest Silver Creek Romance, a naughty Christmas wish turns into something so much more…

Kindergarten teacher Sarah Larsen has spent her whole life being the good girl. But now, she’s ready to do something bad. So wearing the shortest, tightest black dress she owns, she marches over to the nearest bar to fulfill her Christmas fantasy: a wild night with a total stranger.

Walker Callahan moved to Silver Creek to start fresh. He doesn’t want to bring his baggage into a relationship, so an evening of fun with the sexiest welcoming committee ever is just what he needs.
They were both in it for one night with no strings attached.. But when Sarah discovers that Walker is the father of her new student, things turn deliciously complicated. Can the cold winter nights thaw two frozen hearts?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

Raised by her grandmother to believe that passion is a bad thing, and that men bring nothing but trouble, Sarah Larsen has led a sheltered life. Sarah’s determination to step outside of her box and experience life has led her to a bar and a shot of whiskey that she really doesn’t want. Enter one tall, dark, mysterious, and, oh, so handsome man. Walker Callahan has been living a loss-filled life for the past two years, but is in Silver Creek for a fresh start. And, boy, is he in the right place at the right time, because he’s about to get that in spades.

I love Maisey Yates, just love every single word that she writes. Every. Single. Word. She crafts dialogue that grabs me and puts me right down into the story, words that illustrate, define, and elicit responses. Her characters are real, people that have quirks and flaws and wicked senses of humor. They haven’t lived charmed lives, but they’re making the best of things, and changing each other along the way.

I started reading UNWRAPPED, expecting a sweet Christmas novella about the folks from Silver Creek, and I did get that. But I also got a whole lot of humor (really, I was laughing out loud, because these folks are funny, whether talking to each other, or inside their own heads), super-hot and steamy scenes, and love, so much love. Sarah and Walker are the perfect foils for each other, and the sparks between them turn very quickly into a full-on inferno. But their relationship is not just the physical one that each swears that they’re looking for, and it becomes apparent to them and the reader very early on. This little story was the perfect addition to my pile of holiday reads, and, as with any of Maisey’s books, has been added to my list of favorites.

Author Bio:
USA Today Bestselling romance writer with a penchant for coffee, sugared cereal, and alpha males. Three children, one husband, and too many dresses for my closet.

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Review: Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover- A Novella

Posted on 11/28/2014 by shellbellereads

Maybe Not

A Novella- Featuring Characters from Maybe Someday

By Colleen Hoover

Synopsis

Colleen Hoover, the New York Times bestselling author of Maybe Someday, brilliantly brings to life the story of the wonderfully hilarious and charismatic Warren in a new novella, Maybe Not.

When Warren has the opportunity to live with a female roommate, he instantly agrees. It could be an exciting change.

Or maybe not.

Especially when that roommate is the cold and seemingly calculating Bridgette. Tensions run high and tempers flare as the two can hardly stand to be in the same room together. But Warren has a theory about Bridgette: anyone who can hate with that much passion should also have the capability to love with that much passion. And he wants to be the one to test this theory.

Will Bridgette find it in herself to warm her heart to Warren and finally learn to love?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

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Robin’s Review

Colleen Hoover is right at the top of the list of my favorite authors. And out of every story written by Colleen, Maybe Someday is my absolute favorite. I anxiously wait for each story she is writing because I have complete faith in her creativity and writing ability. One week ago, like so many other of her loyal readers, I was astounded to learn that Colleen was publishing a surprise novella about her secondary characters from Maybe Someday, Warren and Bridgette!

Readers like myself, who fell in love with Maybe Someday, can now comprehend what is behind all of the anger, hostility and combustible emotions at war between Warren Russell and Bridgette Cox. Written from Warren’s point of view, this surprise novella is titled Maybe Not. Ridge, Sydney and Maggie all play a part in this story, but this time they slip into the role of secondary characters. Although this story is primarily about Warren and Bridgette, I found it interesting to experience Warren’s personal feelings and inner dialogue while he considered what was going on between Ridge, Maggie and Sydney. I felt this was a positive addition to the reading experience for Maybe Someday.

Because I enjoyed the humor of Maybe Someday, I was delighted to see it return in this novella! Warren, Ridge, Bridgette and Sydney continue to pull pranks on each other and some of them are quite brilliant! There were a couple of places in the dialogue where I could sense Colleen’s personality come through in her writing, and I just loved it!

Warren and Bridgette were so funny together! They were mean to each other, then they were sweet to each other. I thought Bridgette’s personality was plausible for someone who had previously lacked love in her life. Her character growth seemed natural as she progressed from being angry, hard and controlling to a more trusting and loving individual. Warren was incredibly entertaining as he struggled to interpret Bridgette’s words and actions! I loved that their anger and meanness towards each other served as foreplay!

Altogether, I have nothing but words of praise for this novella! Warren and Bridgette’s story was lighthearted, funny and sexy! Colleen Hoover has earned a solid 5-star rating for Maybe Not!

About Colleen Hoover

Author Bio:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest. Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting. Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, releases August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at http://www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review: Diamonds and Dust by Jessie Evans- Lonesome Point, Texas Series- Book 3

Posted on 11/28/2014 by shellbellereads

Diamonds and Dust

Lonesome Point, Texas Series- Book 3

By Jessie Evans

Synopsis

A sexy second chance romance from NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans

The home run neither of them expected…

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Tracey’s Review

If you’re a fan of books that bring old lovers together again, DIAMONDS AND DUST is a must-read, and is guaranteed to leave you wanting to read more by Jessie.

About Jessie Evans

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read.

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Review and Series Feature: All For You by Jessica Scott- The Coming Home Series

Posted on 11/28/2014 by shellbellereads

All For You

Coming Home Series- Book 4

By Jessica Scott

Synopsis

Can a battle-scarred warrior . . .

Stay sober. Get deployed. Lead his platoon. Those are the only things that matter to Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli. What he wants is for everyone to stay out of his way; what he gets is Captain Emily Lindberg telling him how to deal with his men. Fort Hood’s newest shrink is smart as a whip and sexy as hell. She’s also full of questions-about the army, its soldiers, and the agony etched on Reza’s body and soul.

. . . open his heart to love?

Emily has devoted her life to giving soldiers the care they need-and deserve. Little does she know that means facing down the fierce wall of muscle that is Sergeant Iaconelli like it’s just another day at the office. When Reza agrees to help her understand what makes a soldier tick, she’s thrilled. Too bad it doesn’t help her unravel the sexy warrior in front of her who stokes her desire and touches a part of her she thought long dead. He’s the man who thinks combat is the only escape from the demons that haunt him. The man who needs her most of all . . .

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Michel’s Review

I cannot praise the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott enough. This series is an honest outlook at military life, those who chose the military as lifetime careers, the ramifications this career will have on their own personal being, how their professional and personal lives are affected by their choices and how love is the strength that holds these courageous men and women together. Each and every book has been outstanding and has featured different aspects of military life. The writing is exceptional, the romance is sizzling, the story themes are compelling, and the unique blend of humor mixed in with emotional issues keep readers begging for more of this series. All For You is no exception. It maintains the same excellence as all the other books in this series.

All For You is Reza Iaconelli’s story. Reza Iaconelli, known as Sarn’t Ike, has been an enigma throughout this series. He is a man of steel, a hardened warrior, a soldier you want protecting your back and a strong leader for his men. He has deployed several times and has faced almost every horror that comes with war. His strength, attitude, and dedication in times of war are what heroes are made of. Despite all his admiral traits and dedicated service, his flaws are the very thing that could destroy his military career. Reza is an alcoholic.

During deployment Reza is stone cold sober. He can deal with the realities that he has to face in the war arena. Being stateside is a different story. Without the high adrenaline rush of war he has to deal with the everyday stress, as well as the realities of wartime experience. He has to deal with his men on a different level. He has to deal with military politics, the chains of command and officers that should not be leaders. He is responsible for keeping his troop in tip top shape and molding them into solid soldiers. To top that off, he has to deal with his own personal demons as well as the nightmares from war. His coping mechanism is alcohol.

Some of his soldiers are having emotional issues that are leading to destructive behaviors that could lead to the end of their service. His commanding officer is demanding that these soldiers be evaluated and discharged. He is ordering Reza to get to the bottom of this and get their records from medical. It is another unpleasant duty that Reza will have to perform. As he follows through on his latest order he meets Captain Emily Lindberg, the psychiatrist working on his soldiers files.

Although Reza and Emily’s professional opinions clash, they are drawn together. They will enlighten each other and give each other a different view on military life and it’s affects on a soldier’s psyche. They will also find that, by leaning on each other, it will strengthen them both. It will give Reza a reason to cope with his past and look to his future. It will help him recognize that his drinking problem is more than he can handle on his own.

With the suicide rate up among the enlisted, the army will have to find new ways of dealing with their soldiers. They will have to learn to recognize when a soldier may be in trouble. Not only is PTSD a problem in the suicide rate, there are others that fall through the cracks because of their own personal backgrounds. There is a fine line in what can break a soldier.

This book is a real eye opener to one of the bigger problems in all branches of the military. What makes this problem harder to deal with is that the military is a combination of people from all walks of life coming together to make one unit. These people are molded into soldiers that will perform together in the best interest of their unit. They are not recognized as individuals. They are only a number in a large unit. It is harder to recognize the signals that something may be amiss until it has done damage. It is hard for leading officers to single out problems when they have so many that they are responsible for.

Jessica Scott wrote a very touching story that brings awareness of mental health issues in the military. Not only did All For You give an honest insight to this problem, it gave the readers a beautiful love story for a very flawed and damaged man. This man is a true hero because he faced his demons and recognized that his coping mechanisms did not work.

Well done Jessica Scott, All For You is by far the best book in the Coming Home series.

The Coming Home Series

Because Of You

From the war-torn streets of Baghdad to the bittersweet comforts of the home front, two wounded hearts navigate the battlefield of coming home from war in this explosive eBook original from newcomer Jessica Scott.

Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again- until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care. Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels – for the first time in a long time – like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty -it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected – her deepest desire.

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Anything For You

From the USA Today Bestselling author of Because of You comes an all new Coming Home short story.

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams. But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever.

Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive.

As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves.

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Until There Was You

From the author of Because of You comes an all-new contemporary eBook romance. He plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed Army captains will prove that opposites attract . . .

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure–except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battle-worn Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid officer who puts the rules before everything else–including his people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He’s more than the rank on his chest; he’s a man with dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

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I’ll Be Home For Christmas

There’s nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke . . . except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war . . . and from his own darkest fears.

As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband’s tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic’s bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.

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Back To You

He’s in for the fight of his life . . .

Army captain Trent Davila loved his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children. But when he almost lost his life in combat, something inside him died. He couldn’t explain the emptiness he felt or bridge the growing distance between him and his family-so he deployed again. And again. And again…until his marriage reached its breaking point. Now, with everything on the line, Trent has one last chance to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs …if she’ll have him

. . . to win back his only love.

Laura is blindsided when Trent returns home. Time and again, he chose his men over his family, and she’s just beginning to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together. But when Trent faces a court martial on false charges, only Laura can save him. What begins as an act of kindness to protect his career inflames a desire she thought long buried-and a love that won’t be denied. But can she trust that this time he’s back to stay?

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All For You

Can a battle-scarred warrior . . .

. . . open his heart to love?

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It’s Always Been You

She plays by the rules . . .

Captain Ben Teague is many things: a tough soldier, a loyal friend, and a bona fide smart-ass. He doesn’t have much tolerance for BS, which is why he’s mad as hell when a trusted colleague and mentor is brought up on charges that can’t possibly be true. He’s even more frustrated with by-the-book lawyer Major Olivia Hale. But there’s something simmering beneath her icy reserve–and Ben just can’t resist turning up the heat . . .

. . . and he’s determined to break them

The only thing riskier than mixing business with pleasure is enjoying it . . . and Olivia can’t resist locking horns–and lips–with Ben. He’s got more compassion in his little finger than any commander she’s ever met, a fact that makes him a better leader than he realizes. But when the case that brought them together awakens demons from Olivia’s past, she will have to choose between following orders–or her heart . . .

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All I Want For Christmas

From USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott comes an all new novella about a woman who came back from war changed and the man who loves her enough not to let her go.

All Major Patrick MacLean wanted was Christmas with the woman and child who were his family in everything but name. But Captain Samantha Egan has come back from the war a different woman than the one who left – and she doesn’t know if she can love him anymore.

But neither of them counted on the determination of a little girl they both call daughter and if Natalie has her wish, her parents may have no idea what’s coming for them. It’s going to take Christmas miracle to bring these two wounded warriors back from the edge of a broken heart.

This story has been featured in Home For Christmas: A Holiday Duet with JoAnn Ross.

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About Jessica Scott

USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she’s a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She’s also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of OIF/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

Most recently, she’s been featured as one of Esquire Magazine’s Americans of the Year for 2012. Learn More at http://www.jessicascott.net

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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

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Review and Series Feature: All For You by Jessica Scott- The Coming Home Series

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